Jerry A. Boffilo of Morgan Hill died Jan. 13, 2005. He was
96.
Jerry A. Boffilo of Morgan Hill died Jan. 13, 2005. He was 96.
He was born Oct. 1, 1908, in Irisna, Italy, to Porsia and Cesare Boffilo. As a young boy of 16 years, he traveled on a wooden ship to America where he met up with his father, settling in Summit, N.J. He worked in New York’s garment industry in his 20s and also was a taxi driver. He owned an Esso gas station until joining the U.S. Army in his 30s, becoming an artillery specialist. He became a union carpenter after leaving the service. Moving to California, he worked for the City of Cupertino, becoming the city’s first street department superintendent.
After retiring, he bought a cherry orchard on Half Road in Morgan Hill. He loved his cherry orchard, working it from early morning to dusk. He then retired from farming, sold his orchard, and moved to Woodland Estates where he lived the remainder of his life tending to his yard and his many fruit trees.
He is survived by three sisters; daughter-in-law Rhonda Boffilo; great nephew Gary Della Vecchia; and great-great nephews, Ryan Alter and Tyler Della Vecchia; and several other nieces and nephews.
His wife, Marion, and his only son Cesare preceded him in death.
Arrangements were under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.
